2007 TDA - Adam Kurtz

Ratings

Projected Finish: 15
Overall: 2.42/5
Offense: 2.55
Infd + C: 2.48
Of + Uti: 2.65
Pitching: 2.29
SP: 2.42
Closers: 1.98

TDA Nutshell

Keepers: David Ortiz 3, Piazza 8, Putz 9, Uggla 10
Pick: 6
Blue Chips: Ortiz
Best Pick: Wolf 17
Worst: Willie Tavaras 5
Underrated: Markakis
Overrated: Alex Gordon
Not on my team: Aurillia
Not on any team: Gomes
Rotation: Zambrano, Olsen, Sanchez, Reyes, Wolf
Closers: 1.0
Avg Finish: 6.0
Titles: 0

2006 #1: Pedro Martinez
2006 #18: Trot Nixon
 

Overview

Having moved up in the standings for two years in a row, Adam, Ortiz and two Marlin starters will try and crack the league's top three.

What Went Right?

Where did Dan Uggla come from and can he do it again? Uggla seemingly emerged from the ocean and put up Jeff Kent like numbers. With strong trio of initial picks/keepers and doing well with the late rounds, Adam had a solid draft day plan that was for the most part well executed.
 

What Went Wrong?

So what happened in rounds four through seven? Justin Markakis was the best pick of the quartet. He was also the fourth round pick. An up and coming young outfielder, round four was premature. Willis Tavares is a good stolen base guy. So is Scott Podsednik drafted three rounds later and free agent Kenny Lofton, who puts up better numbers across the board. Willie Tavares round five selection, Kenny Lofton undrafted. Alex Gordon is the hot third base prospect everyone wanted. Only Adam wanted him desperately enough to take him in round six. Jonny Gomes is a low twenty home run hitters with no room to play in the Tampa outfield. Number seven with a bullet.
 

Offense

Ortiz has to hit his ceiling soon. He can not continue to improve. While Big Pappi has found a home with Adam, he should not forget the team that first gave him a chance as a Twin from 2000-2003. Beltran found his grove after a horrific 2005. Piazza should get a slight bump in his stats minus the wear and tear of putting on the catcher's gear. Hopefully Ortiz, Uggla and Beltran will not tire carrying the bulk of the offensive load for Adam in '07.
 

Pitching

Even after a number of highly successful seasons, Carlos Zambrano is still an underrated ace. He may require a designated base runner though. After Carlos there is a steep drop off to the young arms of Anibal Sanchez and Josh Johnson. Both put together strong rookie seasons in the wake up the Marlin's latest championship fire sale. Where help is needed is in the pen. Putz alone can not handle the full closing load. The most intriguing pick is Randy Wolf in the seventeenth round. A few years removed from reconstructive surgery, Wolf now in LA made the club as a fifth starter. Look out for a rejuvenation of his career on the west coast.
 

Overall

This season might not be the year for a top three finish after all. Adam had the pieces in place, but the gaping holes in the middle of the draft are reason for concern. The draft is a marathon. Adam cramped up after the first three miles.